Should You Repair Your Phone Screen Before Selling?

The $329 Question Every Cracked Phone Owner Asks

You drop your iPhone. The screen cracks. Now you’re staring at a $329 Apple Store repair quote and wondering: Should I fix this before selling, or just sell it broken?

Here’s the honest answer from someone who’s bought hundreds of cracked phones in Salt Lake City: Usually, no—you shouldn’t repair it first.

But there are exceptions. Let’s do the math together.

The Basic Math: Does Repair Pay for Itself?

Screen repair only makes financial sense if the value increase exceeds the repair cost. Sounds simple, but let’s see real numbers.

Example 1: iPhone 14 Pro

Verdict: You LOSE $50-80 by repairing.

Example 2: Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra

Verdict: You LOSE $40-90 by repairing.

Why Repair Rarely Makes Sense

1. Repair Costs vs Value Increase Don’t Match

Here’s the brutal truth: A cracked screen drops your phone’s value by $200-300. But repairs cost $200-350.

You’re essentially spending money to get back to where you started—except now you’re out of pocket for the repair.

2. Buyers Expect Damage Discount

Phone buyers looking for “cracked screen” phones specifically want a deal. These buyers:

• Often repair phones themselves for cheap ($60-100)
• Accept the damage because the price is right
• Buy broken phones in bulk
• Will pay you $300-400 for a phone worth $600 perfect

Meanwhile, buyers looking for “perfect condition” phones are suspicious of recently repaired screens. They wonder: “What else is wrong with it?”

3. Repair Wait Time = Value Loss

Authorized repairs take 3-7 days (or longer). During that week, your phone loses another $20-40 in value due to normal depreciation. Plus new phone announcements could drop the value further.

4. Third-Party Repairs Hurt Value Even More

Tempted by that $79 mall kiosk screen repair? Don’t. Third-party repairs:

• Lower your phone’s value by 20-30%
• Void any remaining Apple/manufacturer warranty
• Show warning messages in Settings (iPhone)
• Often fail within 6-12 months

A phone with a cracked OEM screen is worth MORE than a phone with a cheap third-party replacement. Learn about other repair mistakes that secretly tank your phone’s value.

When You SHOULD Repair Before Selling

There are 3 scenarios where repair makes financial sense:

Scenario 1: Minor Damage on New, High-Value Phone

If your phone is:

• Less than 6 months old
• Flagship model (iPhone Pro/Pro Max, Samsung Ultra, etc.)
• Only has minor screen damage (small crack in corner)

Example: iPhone 15 Pro Max (3 months old)

• Cracked screen value: $700-750
• Perfect condition value: $1,000-1,050
• Apple repair cost: $329
• Net benefit: $50-100 by repairing

Scenario 2: You Have AppleCare+ or Insurance

If your screen damage is covered:

• AppleCare+ screen repair: $29 (iPhone)
• Insurance deductible: $50-100 (varies by carrier)

Always repair if you have insurance coverage—you’re only spending $29-100 to recover $200-300 in value.

Scenario 3: You’re Keeping the Phone 6+ More Months

If you’re not ready to sell immediately, repair makes sense for your own use. Cracked screens:

• Get worse over time (spread, splinter)
• Risk cutting your finger
• Allow dust and moisture inside
• May eventually cause touch functionality to fail

What About Back Glass or Camera Lens Damage?

Back Glass:

Never repair back glass for resale purposes. It’s purely cosmetic and wildly expensive.

Camera Lens:

Cracked camera lens is actually more serious than screen damage because it affects functionality. But:

• Repair cost: $150-250
• Value impact: -$150-200
• Verdict: Break even at best, slight loss likely

Only repair if you have insurance coverage.

The Smart Alternative: Sell As-Is

Instead of repairing, do this:

1. Be completely honest about damage (take clear photos showing cracks)
2. Price accordingly (research what damaged phones sell for)
3. Find buyers who specialize in damaged phones
4. Get multiple quotes (damage value varies by buyer)
5. Sell quickly before further depreciation

Where to Sell Damaged Phones:

• Local cash buyers (like us)—best option, immediate payment
• Facebook Marketplace—many DIY repair buyers
• Swappa Boneyard—dedicated section for broken phones
• eBay “For Parts”—good for severely damaged phones

If You DO Decide to Repair: Do It Right

If you’re going to repair, don’t cheap out:

✅ Use Authorized Repair Only:

• iPhone: Apple Store or Apple Authorized Service Provider
• Samsung: Samsung Authorized Service or uBreakiFix (Samsung partner)
• Google Pixel: uBreakiFix or mail-in to Google

✅ Keep Documentation:

• Save receipt showing authorized repair
• Note repair date (fresher repair = more trust)
• Mention “OEM parts” in your listing

❌ Never Use:

• Mall kiosks
• Craigslist repair services
• “We come to you” repair services
• Any shop not explicitly authorized by manufacturer

Want to avoid value-killing mistakes? Check out our guide to the 5 things that secretly lower your phone’s resale value.

FAQ: Screen Repair Before Selling

Q: What if my screen is “mostly cracked” but still works perfectly?
A: Functionality doesn’t matter for cracked screens. Buyers see cracks and offer damaged-phone prices regardless. Sell as-is.

Q: Can I get a better price if I say “just needs a screen”?
A: Yes, but only if you’re honest. Buyers will inspect and adjust offers if they find other problems. Honesty builds trust and prevents wasted time.

Q: My friend can replace the screen for $50. Should I do it?
A: NO. Unauthorized repairs using cheap parts will lower your value MORE than leaving it cracked. Buyers can tell.

Q: Does screen damage void my warranty?
A: Accidental damage isn’t covered by standard warranty, but AppleCare+ covers it ($29 fee). If you have AppleCare+, definitely use it before selling.

Q: What if I already paid for a third-party screen repair?
A: Disclose it honestly to buyers. It will lower your value, but hiding it is worse—buyers check Settings and will reject the phone.

Q: Can I sell a phone with a cracked screen on payment plans?
A: You can, but you must pay off the remaining balance. Most buyers won’t touch a financed phone with damage (too risky).

Get Cash for Your Cracked Phone Today

Don’t waste money on repairs that won’t pay for themselves. We buy phones in all conditions—cracked screens, broken cameras, and everything in between.

Get My Cash Offer Now!

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